St Andrews Links Trust has revealed a robust financial performance for 2024, with more than 280,000 rounds of golf played over its seven courses and a surplus of £10.8 million.
The Trust revealed the surplus on total revenues of £48.5 million, as unprecedented global interest in golf continued to drive demand across The Home of Golf.
A total of 281,554 rounds of golf were played in 2024, broadly similar to the post-pandemic high of 2023.
St Andrews Links Trust, the charity which manages the world-famous Old Course and six other public courses in the town, uses its surplus to reinvest its facilities and to protect and maintain the Home of Golf for current and future generations.
A key infrastructure investment projects is the £10.5m, multi-year project to modernise irrigation systems across its courses, beginning with the Old Course this winter. The Links Clubhouse will also be significantly renovated and extended to deliver an enhanced experience following The Open in 2027 while a recent dune restoration project, which involved the rebuilding of a 200m sand dune on the Jubilee shoreline, was completed at the beginning of 2025 as part of the largest and longest-running dune restoration project in Scotland.
In addition, the Trust is committed to expanding its junior golf programme and investing in further community outreach programmes to allow the widest possible access to the next generation of golfers.
St Andrews Links Trust CEO Neil Coulson has overseen a period of strong growth and investment by the Trust
Neil Coulson, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “These are a strong and stable set of results which give the Trust a platform to reinvest with confidence in our facilities, in access, and in encouraging golfers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds who want to play the game. As a public and charitable trust, we deliver economic, social, and cultural benefit to Scotland, while offering a unique, inclusive experience that resonates with people around the world.”
In 2024, a new digital singles daily draw for the Old Course delivered 3,600 successful places from 14,500+ entries, replacing the overnight queue and improving customer experience.
The Trust also developed the Old Course Reversed event, allowing golfers from across the world a limited opportunity to play the world-famous links in its original, clockwise direction, demonstrating how creativity and respect for history can co-exist. More than 10,000 golfers worldwide applied for a spot in the unique event.
Earlier this year, the Trust unveiled an impact report which found the economic value of golf in St Andrews totalled £317m annually and supports 4,345 jobs across Scotland.
The AIG Women’s Open was held at the Old Course in August 2024, setting a new attendance record for the Championship with more than 50,000 spectators. The Open will return in 2027 for the 31st time in the history of the Championship – more than any other venue.
Sandra Tuddenham, Chair of Trustees, said: “St Andrews Links exists to serve the game, the town and the wider region. Our 2024 performance gives us the confidence to reinvest in what matters most – accessibility, innovation, sustainability and people. The surplus we generate supports our courses, our community and future generations of players.”
